Driving through the countryside, as I’m overtaking a woman in a new, four-cylinder turbo 5-series, I can’t believe it’s been six months since I’ve posted anything. Yikes. Time flies when you’re chasing parts. Or passing modern cars.
As I streak past the lady, who’s texting on a two-lane country road in the middle of nowhere, (and she gives me the “how dare you pass me look) at redline in 2nd gear, then hitting 3rd, and 4th, the century mark comes up right now as that black 5 becomes a spot in the rear-view mirror. I’m always amazed at how composed this car feels between 75 and 110 mph. I think about being a German businessman in the 80s, driving this car flat out on the Autobahn on my way to work every day like it’s no big thing.
There is something wonderful about the slight rawness of the two-valve, 3.4-liter M30 engine that makes this car feel much sportier than my E39 with the four-valve engine. Do I really need an 80s 911? Maybe not.
Don’t worry, I never drive fast in populated areas, but out here, the E28’s six begs to be driven. Even with 160 thousand miles on the odometer, it revs right to the readline with ease. With no sense of strain whatsoever, unlike modern turbo cars, which always seem to run out of oomph about 700 rpm before redline. Sometimes, torque isn’t everything. The more enthusiastically I drive it, the better it runs. Is that real or imagined? And as I’m the King of Rationalizations, it’s better to be out in front of the safety hazard, right?
Texting and driving, don’t get me started. Unlike my new Mini with its big infotainment screen, which constantly feels like being bothered, no big, black screen feels like a true luxury. The luxury of concentrating on driving. I don’t even mind that the radio that came with the car doesn’t even have a faceplate to access it.
Setting up for the next series of curves, shifting up and down with ease, reminds me that this is what I love about BMW. I’ve tried to like the new electric-assisted steering cars from BMW and
Porsche, but I just can’t get excited about them. Yes, they are great cars in their own way, and I’d love it if my E28 had a bit quieter cabin, but I wouldn’t trade the driving experience for the luxury experience. You can get a Lexus for that. Or a PlayStation controller.
Now that the shift linkage has been refreshed and a proper set of 16s has been installed with a fresh set of Continentals (yay Discount Tire clearance) fitted, this car is driving much better and has a lot more road feel. Perhaps this fall/winter, we’ll do a complete suspension refresh, and then it will feel even better. Still, this car hugs the road and responds to driver input in a completely immersive way. Now I know why they didn’t have cupholders back then.
On the 45-minute loop, only a few miles from my house, a brisk drive in the hilly, curvy roads is the perfect way to clear the mind and organize the day in my head. The scenery is so relaxing, I almost feel like I’m driving through a Windham Hill album cover from the 80s. In a world of 500 – 700 horsepower mega sedans, I’m reminded that 200-ish horsepower, fully utilized, isn’t so bad.
Hello and welcome to Heel and Toe.
